County of Maui continues to prepare, urges community readiness as TS Lala strengthens

The County of Maui continues to prepare for possible impacts from Tropical Storm Lala, as emergency management officials echo that community members should be ready for potentially hazardous conditions across Maui County this weekend.

Tropical Storm Lala is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane as it moves west-northwest toward the Hawaiian Islands. A National Weather Service (NWS) Hurricane Watch is in effect for Hawai’i Island, with impacts predicted by early Saturday. Maui County is not currently under a storm watch, but tropical storm-force winds extend up to 205 miles from the storm center and heavy rain is anticipated for the Valley Isle.

“For Maui County, the main concern is flash flooding and water rising in flood-prone places, especially vulnerable areas that were hit by Kona Low storms earlier this year,” Mayor Richard Bissen said. “County departments have been preparing for Tropical Storm Lala, and we’re asking our community to do the same. Use today to finish security property, making sure your home has enough food, water, supplies and medications, and check on kūpuna, neighbors and loved ones. Our County teams are positioned and ready to respond if needed, but readiness is a kākou effort – we are all responsible for looking out for one another.”

Tropical Storm Lala is expected to bring 5 to 10 inches of rain across Maui and the Big Island, NWS said. Also, the combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.

“Going into the weekend, Lala is strengthening, and we need people to prepare now for the potential of dangerous winds, heavy rain, flooding and large waves,” Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Administrator Amos Lonokailua-Hewett said. “The message to our communities is simple: don’t wait for the forecast to become certain before you prepare. Take the time now to secure your property, review your emergency plans and make sure you have the supplies you need to get through the weekend safely.”

MEMA has been coordinating with other County of Maui departments, as well as state and nongovernment partners, to prepare for potential storm impacts.

Other County preparations include the following:

• Maui Police Department is increasing staffing for all districts to prepare for the storm; all stations tested generators to ensure they are operable. The public should be advised of the following:

• Anticipate longer response times for nonemergency/non-in progress calls — public safety will be prioritized during the storm.
• If there is a situation where emergency evacuation is needed, call 911.
• Crimes committed during an emergency proclamation have enhanced penalties.
• If traffic signals go out or malfunction, treat intersections like a four-way-stop.

• MEMA has been working with Red Cross and other partners to identify shelters that can be opened in potentially vulnerable areas should storm impacts warrant evacuation.

• Department of Public Works crews have been preparing for the potential upcoming weather by ensuring all storm-response equipment is fueled and ready to go, inspecting and cleaning drainage and flood control infrastructure, and prepositioned traffic control devices and equipment for deployment if needed throughout Maui County, including in Lahaina, Wailuku, Makawao and Hāna, as well as on Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi.

• Department of Water Supply (DWS) and Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are prepping all system infrastructure sites that could potentially be affected by the approaching storm. DWS and DEM are checking and topping off fuel in all permanent and portable generators. All vehicles are being refueled daily in anticipation of the storm. Standby crews have been set up for response.

 Residents are encouraged to:

• Review or update a family emergency plan.
• Assemble or replenish emergency supplies, including enough food, water, medications and essential items to last at least 14 days.
• Prepare an emergency go bag with essential items to take if evacuation becomes necessary.
• Secure important documents and know your evacuation zone if you live in a coastal or flood-prone area.
• Prepare your home by securing outdoor items, protecting windows if needed, and ensuring it is ready to withstand possible extended power outages.
• Sign up for MEMA Alerts and Genasys evacuation notifications by visiting https://mauicounty.gov/MEMA.

For the latest information, visit NWS in Honolulu at https://www.weather.gov/hfo/ and subscribe to Genasys and MEMA alerts at https://mauicounty.gov/MEMA.